[physics.pop-ph] Research into the emergence and evolution of intelligence is underrepresented in astrobiology.
biosignature
Posted inComets and Asteroids
The Dust Mineralogy of Interstellar Comet 3I/ATLAS from JWST/MIRI Observations
[astro-ph.EP] We present the first spectroscopic mineralogical analysis of the dust coma of an interstellar object (ISO) from JWST mid-infrared spectroscopy of 3I/ATLAS (3I).
Posted inMars
The Impact of the Viking Entry, Descent, and Landing Legacy on Future Mars Exploration
[Astrobiology] This article outlines engineering challenges that were involved in the design innovations required to successfully deliver not one but two landers for Viking.
Posted inBiosignatures & Paleobiology
Orbital Biosignature Assay: Summer Algal Bloom Spreads Across The Baltic Sea
[European Union] During the summer months, large algal blooms occur frequently in the Baltic Sea. Often driven by warmer temperatures, abundant sunlight, and nutrient-rich waters, these blooms can reduce water […]
Posted inBiochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Desert Worlds, Habitable Zones, Imaging & Spectroscopy, Mars, Missions & Hardware
Organic Carbon Detected In The Bright Angel Formation On Mars
In September of last year, NASA announced that its Perseverance rover discovered a potential biosignature, which is a substance or structure that might have a biological origin.
Posted inComets and Asteroids
Webb Finds Clues To The Ancient Origin Of Comet 3I/ATLAS
The third identified interstellar comet in human history has a surprising chemical makeup, raising questions as to how common, or unusual, conditions in our own Solar System may be.
Posted inAtmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Cryobiology, Europa, Extremeophiles and Extreme Environments, Genomics, Proteomics, Bioinformatics, Microbiology & Virology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Press Release
Probing The Habitability Of Potential Sulfuric Acid Rich Subsurface Lakes In Europa’s Ice Shell Via Saci/STIV Integrated Models
Experimentally modeling the habitability of extreme ocean world conditions, such as those on Jupiter’s moon: Europa, would benefit from integrated microbe-virus model studies to provide both a microbial model and […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biochemistry & Organic Chemistry, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biophysics, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Origin & Evolution of Life, Status Report
Terrestrial Abiotic Synthesis of Simple Precursor Molecules Starting from Two Approaches: The Universality of Carbon Reduction
To address the chemistry responsible for life’s emergence, we examine the simple chemicals accessible on early Earth and the processes that could have transformed them. We focus on carbon reduction […]
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astrogeology, Biogeochemical Cycles & Geobiology, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Enceladus, Habitable Zones, Icy Worlds, Status Report
Tidal Rock Grinding As A Source Of H2 On Enceladus
The Solar System hosts multiple potentially habitable environments, including the subsurface ocean beneath the icy crust of Saturn’s moon Enceladus.
Posted inAstrochemistry, Astronomy & Telescopes, Atmospheres, Climate, Weather, Biosignatures & Paleobiology, Habitable Zones, Status Report
Reflections of Life: Distinguishing Living from Nonliving Worlds with Complexity Metrics
Detecting life beyond Earth is the primary goal of astrobiology. In this study, we showcase the effectiveness of information and complexity-based metrics for detecting signs of life on exoplanets.